Who is eligible to apply for the Service Year Alums Awards?

• Any individual who has completed a service year, including AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and YouthBuild positions, is eligible to apply. There are no age restrictions or geographical limitations.

Can I nominate someone for the awards?

• Yes, you can nominate someone for the awards. Please use this form and select “I am nominating someone” to proceed with the nomination. Once your nomination is submitted, we’ll contact the nominee to encourage them to complete the full application.

What are the criteria for selection?

• The selection criteria includes a focus on your post-service career development and success, demonstration of the positive impact of the service year experience, and sharing the narrative with an ethical lens.

What types of stories are you looking for in submissions?

• We are looking for factual narratives that demonstrate how service year experiences have helped individuals find post-service professional success and continue to serve throughout their careers. Examples include, using your service year to gain a credential or certification that qualified you for a job, networking within your service year community to find a new professional opportunity, (if you’re a veteran) leveraging your service year to aid your transition to life after military service, and drawing upon the skills and experiences you accumulated during your service year to solve a challenge in a post-service professional capacity.

Can I submit a story if I'm currently serving but haven't completed my service term yet?

• If you have completed a full year of service previously, and are now in an additional term of service, you are eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed at least one service year prior to submission.

Is this available to only individuals, or can groups apply?

• Submissions should be from an individual service year alum, though may include actions taken with a group of people.

Is there a word or time limit for the application questions?

• Please provide a written response to each of the five questions about your service year in the award application, using specific examples when possible. Each response is limited to 2,000 characters, including spaces.

How will finalists be notified?

• Finalists will be notified via email in June 2025.

What are the benefits of being selected as an awardee?

• Awardees will receive $1,000 each, recognition at a virtual awards ceremony, acknowledgment on social media and the Service Year Alliance website, and other public outlets.

Where can I find the application form?

• Click here to start your application. If you encounter any issues accessing the form, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Can I submit more than one entry?

• No, each applicant may submit only one entry.

Will my story be shared publicly if I submit it?

• By submitting an entry, you acknowledge that your story, or portions thereof, may be published on the Service Year Alliance website, included in promotional materials, media outlets, reports, and or other distribution methods to demonstrate the impact of service years.

Who can I contact for further inquiries or assistance?

• For further inquiries or assistance, please contact [email protected].